Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 346379
  • Created:
  • Creator: AliceWyman
  • Comment: "make sure Firefox is up to date" link, mac/win-linux steps; menu image, other edits
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: ffloare
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization:
  • Readied for localization by: ffloare
Revision Source
Revision Content

This article explains how to export your bookmarks to an HTML file, which can be used as a backup or for importing into another web browser.

These are the differences between a backup and an export:

  • Backup (JSON/JSONLZ4): Used for restoring bookmarks in Firefox only (keeps structure, can overwrite).
  • Export (HTML): Used for transferring bookmarks to other browsers or computers.
Note: To do this on mobile, you must use Firefox Sync. See How do I set up Sync on my computer? to learn how to set up Sync and connect additional mobile devices.

First, make sure Firefox is up to date. To do this, select Firefox in the Menu bar at the top of the screen, choose About Firefoxclick the menu button IG main menu at the right side of the toolbar, click Help, select About Firefox and click Restart to update Firefox if the option appears. Then follow these steps:

  1. Click the menu button Fx89menuButton to open the menu panel. Click Bookmarks and then click the Manage bookmarks bar at the bottom.
  2. In the toolbar of the Library window click the import-export-arrows Import and Backup button
    Fx80BookmarksLibrary-mac
     import-export-arrowsImport and Backup and choose Export Bookmarks to HTML… from the drop-down menu.
    Library window - Export Bookmarks to HTML
    Fx80BookmarksLibrary-linux
  3. In the Export Bookmarks File window that opens, choose a location to save the file, which is named bookmarks.html by default. The desktop is usually a good spot, but any place that is easy to remember will work.
  4. Click Save. The Export Bookmarks File window will close.
  5. Close the Library window.
Your bookmarks are now successfully exported from Firefox. The bookmarks HTML file you saved is now ready to be imported into another web browser or a new device.

If you don’t see your bookmarks on the toolbar after importing:

  1. Click the menu IG main menu button at the right side of the toolbar.
  2. Select More tools.
  3. Select Customize toolbar.
  4. Select Toolbars.
  5. Then select Bookmarks Toolbar. This will now display your bookmarks on your toolbar.

Related articles